12/09/2014 Newsletter

Greetings from the Wine Cellar:

 

Yuma’s Christmas season gets underway this week with the Dorothy Young Memorial Electric Light Parade.  This year’s 12th annual parade starts off at 6 PM Saturday, December 13^th.  The parade theme this time around is “A Totally 80’s Christmas!”  The parade begins on 3^rd Avenue around 10^th Street, turns down Orange Avenue to Giss Parkway and ends up on the Main Street Plaza right here in Historic Downtown Yuma.  The parade will have lots of decorated and illuminated floats, marching bands and of course Santa on his sleigh as the final float.  The party continues on the Plaza long after the parade, with lots of activities and entertainment.  It’s always a great time, and a perfect way to get into the holiday spirit, so plan on being Downtown this Saturday evening! (of course, if you like great wine there’s plenty of reason to be here during the week as well…)

 

THIS WEEK’S WINE TASTING:

 

Grans-Fassian 2009 Estate Riesling (Mosel Valley, Germany)   $14.99
This is a delicate, detailed Mosel Riesling, with a lively structure and a fine underlay of minerality.  Juicy, ripe peach, pear and citrus flavors are enlivened with a snappy acidity, coming to a deliciously refreshing finish. A superb matched with lighter cuisines, and a perfect aperitif wine all by itself.

 

Francis Coppola 2012 Gia Pinot Noir (Monterey County)    $12.99
Gia Pinot Noir has a silky texture, pretty spice notes and flavors of fresh-picked strawberries and raspberries, along with enticing notes of pomegranate and peach.  The wine features a refreshing degree of acidity and a harmonious balance that carries it to an elegant finish.

 

Gianfranco Bovio 2008 Langhe Nebbiolo Annunziata (Piedmont, Italy)    $24.99
This single-vineyard Nebbiolo opens with an alluring bouquet of raspberries and strawberries.  The palate displays classic varietal characteristics of juicy red cherries accented by complex accents of herbs, earth and cedar, carried on a smooth tannic frame.

 

Alexander Valley Vineyards 2011 Estate Syrah (Alexander Valley)    $15.99
Aromas of blueberry, boysenberry and a slight floral note of violets are followed by traditional flavors of blackberry jam, black currant and spice accents like cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.

Torbreck 2012 Woodcutter’s Shiraz (Barossa Valley, Australia)    $22.99
This Shiraz has both depth and power, but with Torbreck’s trademark charm and seductive smoothness.  It oozes blackberry fruit, with a spicy edge and subtle tarry notes. The palate is rich and silky, with dark berry, cherry and plum fruit bursting forth.

Conn Creek 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)    $26.99
Fruit from Conn Creek’s Collins-Holystone Vineyard in the St. Helena District forms the core of this Cabernet, along with vineyards in the Stags’ Leap, Yountville, Oakville, Rutherford, Mt. Veeder, Atlas Peak and Spring Mountain districts.  It all combines to create a rich, supple and finely balanced Cabernet.

 

NEW WINE & BEER ARRIVALS:

 

Gauchezco 2011 Cabernet Reserva (Mendoza, Argentina)    $17.99
Better known for Malbec, the Mendoza region of Argentina also produces superb Cabernets.  This Reserva offers dense, delicious dark fruit character on a silky frame.  Firm tannins give it plenty of traction throu a fine, lingering finish.

 

Beronia 2006 Gran Reserva (Rioja, Spain)    $29.99
This Gran Reserva is made from carefully selected premium Tempranillo, Graciano and Mazuelo grapes aged two years in oak and three years in the bottle prior to release.  An aromatic nose offers accents of vanilla, cloves and cinnamon.  The smooth, velvety palate has abundant cherry and black plum fruit flavors, along with earthy notes of tobacco and spices.

 

EnRoute 2012 Les Brumeaux Chardonnay (Russian River Valley)    $39.99
The Les Brumeux opens with crisp and flinty aromas of pears, orange blossom and citrus with subtle notes of pineapple. In the mouth, it’s deliciously creamy and rich, with subtle toasted oak.  A wonderfully bright, lively acidity keeps it balanced and fresh through the finish.

 

Samuel Adams Double Bock (Boston, Massachusetts)    $6.99
Sam Adams uses half-a-pound of malted barley per bottle to brew this intense, rich lager.  The deep mahogany color is made in the kettle – no black malt is used, creating a rich sweetness free of any taste of burnt malts.  The intense malt character is well balanced with a subtle piney, citrusy hop character.

 

Cheers!

 

Mike Shelhamer
Old Town Wine Cellar
265 S. Main Street, Suite E
Yuma, Arizona  85364
928-373-0405

 

http://www.facebook.com/oldtownwinecellar

 

http://www.yumawine.com